Elworth have become the second NSSCL Premier Division side to be hit by a points deduction after playing more than one overseas player in matches this season.

Burslem were docked 71 points earlier this week - subject to appeal - for the same offence.

Elworth are now set to lose all but nine of their 244 points following a North Staffs and South Cheshire League Regulatory Board meeting last night. Elworth have said they will appeal against the decision.

The Cheshire side registered long-serving all-rounder Yasir Ali as their overseas player, but also fielded Raj Kumar and Adnan Ghaus.

Kumar and Ghaus were lodged as ‘home’ players by the club (Category 1) because they hold UK passports, but because they spend more than the allowed days out of the country and were born abroad, ECB club cricket rules stipulate they should be Category 3 (overseas) players.

Clubs are only allowed to register and play one overseas cricketer in league and cup matches.

A statement by Elworth read: “On July 11th Elworth Cricket Club were asked by the North Staffs and South Cheshire League Executive to provide evidence that Adnan Ghaus is eligible to play in the league for Elworth, and subsequently to also provide evidence regarding the eligibility of Rajiv Kumar and Yasir Ali.

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“The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Senior cricket manager have been dealing with this on behalf of the club. After one informal meeting with a delegation from the league and subsequent formal written representation from the club, the league (after consulting with the ECB) found that all 3 players should be registered as category 3 players (effectively overseas players).

“Our stance is that Yasir Ali is correctly registered as the overseas category 3 player for Elworth, and the fact that Adnan and Rajiv hold UK passports, have British citizenship and residence in the UK, leads us to contend that they should NOT be designated as overseas players, and are correctly registered as category 1.

“League rules stipulate that a club can only play one category 3 player, and the penalty for playing ineligible players in any league match is the loss of any points gained in the relevant matches.

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“The purpose here is to inform members of the club and to advise that following a League Regulatory Board hearing on 23rd August - at which we have made strong representation to refute the assertion that Adnan and Rajiv should be registered as overseas players - the earlier ruling has been confirmed and the points penalty imposed.

“The club has decided to appeal the decision and has notified the League Regulatory Board of this.”

Elworth would only keep the three points gained against Checkley on April 28 and the six accrued at Stone on May 5 if they are unsuccessful with their appeal. Kumar and Ghaus did not play in those fixtures.

Burslem were punished after Jim Allenby and Kamran Ghulam featured together in four games.

Allenby is English qualified, but because he was born in Australia and spent more than the allotted days out of the UK in the past 12 months, he should have been registered as an overseas player.

Ghulam already filled that role, although Burslem are expected to appeal the points punishment.

It is understood league officials are currently looking in to other clubs regarding player eligibility.